They look a good deal better
from the full galley, head, shower, and enclosed berths down below.
from the full galley, head, shower, and enclosed berths down below.
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Jim Klein
Msg for Cliff Ruckstuhl
Cliff, I see you had a H25.5 on Lake Erie. I am looking for one to sail in the Columbus area. Did you sell yours, or is it by chance available in a broker's inventory somewhere? I've seen one online at Walt Pilny's in Fairport, but they didn't respond to my email and I haven't tried again. Any info on how to find one locally would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim Klein (jklein@ecnext.com)
Cliff, I see you had a H25.5 on Lake Erie. I am looking for one to sail in the Columbus area. Did you sell yours, or is it by chance available in a broker's inventory somewhere? I've seen one online at Walt Pilny's in Fairport, but they didn't respond to my email and I haven't tried again. Any info on how to find one locally would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim Klein (jklein@ecnext.com)
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Michael
Do Looks Matter?
I agree with Greg, if you don't mind looking at a diesel locomotive, then looks probably do not matter. I think a sail boat needs a certain amount of 'classic appeal', and the new ones do not. I trailered a C25 fin with an 85 Ford Bronco w/302 V8, just fine. If you are willing to sail a compromise because you drive a Corolla, it's your choice. Michael McCann The Jaded Crew
I agree with Greg, if you don't mind looking at a diesel locomotive, then looks probably do not matter. I think a sail boat needs a certain amount of 'classic appeal', and the new ones do not. I trailered a C25 fin with an 85 Ford Bronco w/302 V8, just fine. If you are willing to sail a compromise because you drive a Corolla, it's your choice. Michael McCann The Jaded Crew
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Jerry Villines
Look til you like
At 25' I like Catalina looks and quality but the Hunter is a good boat with a lot more room inside. Your travelling mate may like that and be willing to go more often. Over 30' I think Hunter has Catalina hands down in sailability and value. While Catalina is a very nice boat and really looks good they are a little pricey for what you get. There are others so just keep looking til the right one grabs you.
At 25' I like Catalina looks and quality but the Hunter is a good boat with a lot more room inside. Your travelling mate may like that and be willing to go more often. Over 30' I think Hunter has Catalina hands down in sailability and value. While Catalina is a very nice boat and really looks good they are a little pricey for what you get. There are others so just keep looking til the right one grabs you.
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Kris Christiansen
Hunter 26 by far
Hello I have a 23.5 hunter and I have sailed both the Catalina 25 and the Hunter 26 and in my opinion the hunter has the advantage of more cockpit space and by far more cabin apace. The Catalina 25 is a great boat but isn't as easy to sail single handed. Happy Sailing Kris
Hello I have a 23.5 hunter and I have sailed both the Catalina 25 and the Hunter 26 and in my opinion the hunter has the advantage of more cockpit space and by far more cabin apace. The Catalina 25 is a great boat but isn't as easy to sail single handed. Happy Sailing Kris
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Peter C.
Hunter v. Catalina
Catalinas are unquestionably a better long-term value. More substantial boats with stronger support from the manufacturer. Just ask any active used boat broker or check a current BUC book. Many Hunter models are obsolete after a couple of years with the "newer" models continuously coming out!
Catalinas are unquestionably a better long-term value. More substantial boats with stronger support from the manufacturer. Just ask any active used boat broker or check a current BUC book. Many Hunter models are obsolete after a couple of years with the "newer" models continuously coming out!
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Jamie Byrd
I owned a Catalina 25 and own a Hunter now
Hi, I sail in New Bern every weekend and used to own a Catalina 25. I now sail a Hunter 34. I have not sailed a Hunter 26. I would buy another Catalina and I would buy another Hunter. Every boat is a compromise. You will have trade-offs no matter which one you buy. You have to decide which trade-offs work better for you. I would recommend to have it surveyed no matter which boat you buy. Also, I had planned to buy a trailer when I bought my Catalina 25, but I used the boat so much that it would have been a waste of money. I just kept it in the water at Northwest Creek Marina and used it almost every weekend. A shallow draft boat would be better in our area. Good Luck! Jamie Byrd
Hi, I sail in New Bern every weekend and used to own a Catalina 25. I now sail a Hunter 34. I have not sailed a Hunter 26. I would buy another Catalina and I would buy another Hunter. Every boat is a compromise. You will have trade-offs no matter which one you buy. You have to decide which trade-offs work better for you. I would recommend to have it surveyed no matter which boat you buy. Also, I had planned to buy a trailer when I bought my Catalina 25, but I used the boat so much that it would have been a waste of money. I just kept it in the water at Northwest Creek Marina and used it almost every weekend. A shallow draft boat would be better in our area. Good Luck! Jamie Byrd
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Ralph C. Regar
Trailering
My wife and I went through the same process 3-4 years ago. The issues of liveability and space are important to us. We chose the H260 because we stay on board and keep the boat in a slip. If you plan to trailer the boat a great deal, check the weight of each. The H260 is the heaviest and will require a more substantial tow vehicle. It is also wider, and will require a permit to take it any distance and keep you "legal" out on the highway. There are some postings about trailering the H260 here on HOW which would be worth checking. Best of luck on your decision! Ralph S/V Shambala
My wife and I went through the same process 3-4 years ago. The issues of liveability and space are important to us. We chose the H260 because we stay on board and keep the boat in a slip. If you plan to trailer the boat a great deal, check the weight of each. The H260 is the heaviest and will require a more substantial tow vehicle. It is also wider, and will require a permit to take it any distance and keep you "legal" out on the highway. There are some postings about trailering the H260 here on HOW which would be worth checking. Best of luck on your decision! Ralph S/V Shambala
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Mark M
Catalina 250
I assume by your post that you are interested in older boats. But, if you are looking at new or late model boats, I'll tell you that we've been very pleased with the performance of our 1999 Catalina 250. It has an almost 6' centerboard that increases our performance to windward. The 1300 lbs. of ballast water is a good thing to lose when you are trailering longer distances. Still, the boat (with trailer, outboard, gear, etc.) still weighs over 5,000 dry. The 8'6" beam makes it legal to tow in most (if not all) states without permits. Unlike the older Catalina 25, the 250 has a large cockpit and open cabin. We've been very happy with the build quality of our C250 and would highly recommend it to others interested in comfortable trailer-sailing. BTW, we kept the boat on its trailer the first year (at the marina with mast stepped). But, we decided to get a wetslip for the convenience of step-aboard-and-GO sailing. Yet, we can still hit the road with it (so to speak). I trailered it from Austin to Pensacola earlier this year and spent a week cruising the area including trips outside the bays in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a great sailing boat.
I assume by your post that you are interested in older boats. But, if you are looking at new or late model boats, I'll tell you that we've been very pleased with the performance of our 1999 Catalina 250. It has an almost 6' centerboard that increases our performance to windward. The 1300 lbs. of ballast water is a good thing to lose when you are trailering longer distances. Still, the boat (with trailer, outboard, gear, etc.) still weighs over 5,000 dry. The 8'6" beam makes it legal to tow in most (if not all) states without permits. Unlike the older Catalina 25, the 250 has a large cockpit and open cabin. We've been very happy with the build quality of our C250 and would highly recommend it to others interested in comfortable trailer-sailing. BTW, we kept the boat on its trailer the first year (at the marina with mast stepped). But, we decided to get a wetslip for the convenience of step-aboard-and-GO sailing. Yet, we can still hit the road with it (so to speak). I trailered it from Austin to Pensacola earlier this year and spent a week cruising the area including trips outside the bays in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a great sailing boat.
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Carlos J. Rivera
So its hunter or catalina?
Hi!...I,m the owner of a Hunter23 trailerable. It's to "tippy" I'll go with a Catalinathat will fall in that range of size(23 to 26). Now water ballast or swing? swing keel, will have growth problems maintenance(yearly)(refer to article in SAIL magazine like 6 months ago) on the other hand, water ballast its been around for a long time also but has never been looked at seriously enough...the tanks are made out of fiberlass and have a valve system that allows the H2O in and out thru pressure and gravity; its also less weight to haul around. You can also get away w/ both as in getting your hands on a McGregor26(1990-1996) Good luck, let me know about your final decision, if you dont mind...at: Sailingsoon@email.com
Hi!...I,m the owner of a Hunter23 trailerable. It's to "tippy" I'll go with a Catalinathat will fall in that range of size(23 to 26). Now water ballast or swing? swing keel, will have growth problems maintenance(yearly)(refer to article in SAIL magazine like 6 months ago) on the other hand, water ballast its been around for a long time also but has never been looked at seriously enough...the tanks are made out of fiberlass and have a valve system that allows the H2O in and out thru pressure and gravity; its also less weight to haul around. You can also get away w/ both as in getting your hands on a McGregor26(1990-1996) Good luck, let me know about your final decision, if you dont mind...at: Sailingsoon@email.com
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